Broadcast synchronization

ABSTRACT

A first media server delivers content for broadcast via a first media channel, and a second media server delivers media content for broadcast via a second media channel. The first media server operates in a synchronized mode, under control of the second media server during some periods of time, and during other periods of time operates in an independent mode. When operating in the synchronized mode, content delivered by the first and second media servers can be synchronized, so that the timing of spot blocks played on the two servers generally coincides. When the first server operates in the independent mode, the timing of spot blocks and other content broadcast on the first media channel are not synchronized under control of the second media server.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility PatentApplication which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Applicationfor all purposes:

U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/633,346, entitled, “BroadcastSynchronization”, filed Dec. 8, 2009, pending.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT—NOTAPPLICABLE INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACTDISC—NOT APPLICABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to broadcasting, and moreparticularly to controlling the synchronization of media contentbroadcast via multiple different channels.

2. Description of Related Art

Radio, television, satellite, and other broadcasters often devote asignificant amount of time and effort to scheduling media content andspots for broadcast. In some circumstances, the same content isdelivered for broadcast over two different media channels, for examplewhen a radio station broadcasts media content over the air, and streamsthe same media content via an Internet radio station. In some cases,even though both stations are broadcasting the same programming content,commercials, or spots, broadcast during particular spot blocks, may varybetween stations. Broadcasting different spots during a common spotblock can greatly increase the complexity involved in scheduling spots.It can also be difficult to make sure that the length of the spot blockson both of the stations remain consistent, and that the spot blocksremain synchronized. Conventional technologies do not always provide themost effective way to handle the scheduling and synchronization issuesthat can arise in various broadcasting situations.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as asystem that includes a first media server configured to deliver mediacontent for broadcast via a first media channel, and a second mediaserver configured to deliver media content for broadcast via a secondmedia channel The first media server can be configured to operate duringa first portion of time in a synchronized mode at least partially undercontrol of the second media server, and independently of the secondmedia server during a second portion of time, in an independent mode.The first media server can be configured so that during operation in theindependent mode, spots are delivered unconstrained by a spot blockschedule used by the second media server. In some embodiments, duringoperation in the independent mode, the first media server is configuredto operate in accordance with a copy of a clock shell associated withthe second server.

Some embodiments can be implemented as a method that includes executing,on a first media server, an instruction to exit an independent mode andoperate in a synchronized mode. During operation in the synchronizedmode, the first media server, operating at least partially under controlof a second media server, delivers first media content for broadcast viaa first media channel. The second media server operates to deliver thefirst media content for broadcast via a second media channel Aninstruction to exit the synchronized mode and operate in the independentmode can also be executed on the first media server. During operation inthe independent mode, the first media server can operate independentlyof the second media server to deliver second media content for broadcastvia the first media channel. In various embodiments, during operation inthe independent mode, the first media server delivers spotsunconstrained by a spot block schedule used by the second media server.In some implementations, during the independent mode, the first servercan operate in accordance with a copy of a clock shell associated withthe second server.

Furthermore, some embodiments can be implemented as a media server thatincludes at least one processor, memory operably associated with theprocessor, and a program of computer readable instructions to be storedin the memory and executed by the processor. The program of instructioncan include at least one instruction to exit an independent mode andoperate in a synchronized mode at least partially under control of asecond media server. The second media server can deliver the first mediacontent for broadcast via a second media channel. The program ofinstructions can also include one or more instructions to be executedduring operation in the synchronized mode to deliver first media contentfor broadcast, via a first media channel, and one or more instructionsto exit the synchronized mode and operate in the independent mode.Additionally, one or more instructions can be included for executionduring operation in the independent mode. Then at least one instructioncan be executed to deliver, independently of the second media server,second media content for broadcast via the first media channel.Instructions can also be included, for execution during operation in theindependent mode, to deliver spots unconstrained by a spot blockschedule used by the second media server, and to cause the media serverto operate in accordance with a copy of a clock shell associated withanother server.

Aspects of this disclosure will become apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description and upon reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system including a media serverconfigured to operate in both synchronized and independent modes,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using a media serveraccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a high level block diagram of a processing system according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosuredepicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are presented insufficient detail to clearly communicate the disclosure to one ofordinary skill in the art. However, the amount of detail offered is notintended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a system 100 according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure will be discussed. System 100 includes mediaautomation system 110, which can be used to control and automate variousmedia broadcast functions; and traffic and billing system 120, which isused to provide control for various traffic and billing functions suchas entering and editing orders, and scheduling spots. System 100 alsoincludes streaming broadcast chain 160, through which a streamingbroadcast of media content can be provided to a network such as Internet161; on air broadcast chain 150, through which media content can bebroadcast via a broadcast tower 151 or otherwise; and various mediasources such as an individual source media 142, bulk media storage 141,programming from another market received via network 140, andprogramming broadcast via satellite 131 received via satellite receiver130.

Media automation system 110 includes production machine 116, whichreceives media content from network 140, bulk storage 141, individualsource media 142; control room machine 115, and utility machine 114,each of which is connected to database server 113. Media automationsystem 110 also includes over-air audio server 112, which provides mediacontent to on air broadcast chain 150; and streaming audio server 111,which provides audio content to streaming broadcast chain 160. Databaseserver 113 can provide content to one or both of over-air audio server112 and streaming audio server 111. In at least one embodiment, one ormore of the illustrated servers can be implemented as virtual serversimplemented on the same hardware as another of the illustrated servers.Furthermore, various distributed processing techniques can be used tospread functionality of one or more of the illustrated servers acrossmultiple different machines.

In some embodiments, media automation system 110 can be, for example, aradio automation system used to control media content broadcast viamultiple different radio stations in a single market, with some or allsystem elements and subsystems co-located in a single physical facility.In other embodiments, media automation system 110 can be a radioautomation system used to provide control of radio stations in differentmarkets, in different locations, or via different distribution channels.In an illustrated embodiment, media automation system 110 is used tocontrol media broadcast over the air via on-air broadcast chain 150 andbroadcast tower 151, and streaming media provided to the Internet 161via streaming broadcast chain 160. Broadcast stations and delivery mediain addition to those illustrated in FIG. 1 can also be controlled bymedia automation system 110. It should be appreciated that mediaautomation system 110 can also be used with television and other typesof media that may broadcast programming via multiple different stationsor outlets.

In at least one embodiment, over-air audio server 112 acts as a masteraudio server, and streaming audio server 111 assumes the role of a slaveaudio server, when operating in a synchronized mode. During synchronizedmode, over-air audio server 112 can exert control over the content andtiming of media and spots served by streaming audio server 111, so that,for example, spot blocks are broadcast beginning and ending at the sametime on both the over-air channel served by over-air audio server 112,and the streaming channel served by streaming audio server 111. In atleast one embodiment, synchronized mode can be used for live programs,e.g. newstalk and live local shows on music stations, and satellitedelivered programs that have fixed spot length spot breaks.

At other times, streaming audio server 111 operates in an independentmode, during which over-air audio server 112 does not strictly controlthe media delivery by streaming audio server 111. For example, duringindependent mode, streaming audio server 111 can deliver for broadcastcontent scheduled in accordance with a copy of the same clock shell usedby over-air audio server 112, but within the constraints of the clockshell in some embodiments, streaming audio server 111 is free tore-order, modify, or substitute media content and spots. In someembodiments, streaming audio server 111 can deliver the same or similarcontent for broadcast as that being delivered by over-air audio server112, but the timing, length, and content of spot blocks used bystreaming audio server 111 can be modified and broadcast independentlyof spot block content, length, and timing used by over-air audio server112.

In some embodiments, prior to switching from the synchronized mode tothe independent mode, or as part of the process of entering theindependent mode, external content currently mapped to over-air audioserver 112 is also mapped to streaming audio server 111. Music logs forstreaming audio server 111 can be pointed to the same folder used byover-air audio server 112, and over-air audio server 112 can be mappedto transmit local voice tracks to streaming audio server 111.Additionally, one or more terrestrial clocks used by over-air server 112can be copied to streaming audio server 111.

Media automation system 110 can obtain media to be broadcast fromvarious sources. For example, production machine 116 can obtaininformation from broadcasts in other markets via network 140. Productionmachine 116 can also obtain media from database 141, which may be adatabase local to production machine 116, or local to another server ormachine that is part of media automation system 110. In otherembodiments database 141 can be maintained by a third-party mediaprovider, which can be remote from media automation system 110.Production machine 116 can also obtain media to be broadcast fromindividual media sources, such individual source media 142, which mayinclude any of various non-volatile media storage elements, includingbut not limited to optical disks, e.g. compact discs (CDs), digitalvideo disks (DVDs), various types of magnetic and electromagneticstorage media, or the like.

Production machine 116 can provide some or all of the media to bebroadcast to database server 113. In addition to the media provided todatabase server 113 from production machine 116, satellite receiver 130can also provide satellite content to be inserted into a broadcast viaover-air audio server 112 and streaming audio server 111. Databaseserver 113 can also receive media or other content to be broadcast fromcontrol room machine 115. Control room machine 115 may include a studioin which a live broadcast is being generated, such as a talk show orother similar live program, but control room machine 115 can alsoprovide media to database server 113 other than live media.

In general, traffic and billing system 120 can be used to providecontrol and monitoring of the sale and scheduling of spots, and todetermine which spots are to be played on which stations at particulartimes. This information can be provided in the form of a log file, orotherwise. Media automation system 110 can use database server 113 togather programming and media information from various sources, andcombine that information with spot block information 119 to generate alog file indicating a substantially complete representation of whichmedia and spots are to be broadcast. The log file and relatedinformation can be provided to both over-air audio server 112 andstreaming audio server 111 for broadcast over their respective chains.

When operating in synchronized mode, both over-air audio server 112 andstreaming audio server 111 can operate using the same log file in someembodiments. In other embodiments, over-air audio server 112 andstreaming audio server 111 can use log files including the sameprogramming or media content, with synchronized spot blocks, even thoughdifferent spots may be delivered for broadcast within these synchronizedspot blocks. When operating in an independent mode, streaming audioserver 111 may operate according to a different log file than the logfile used by over-air audio server 112, or operate according to asimilar log file, but without being constrained by the spot breaksassociated with over-air audio server 112.

In at least some embodiments, when operating according to different logfiles, the log file used by streaming audio server 111 can be generatedbased on the same clock shell used to generate the log file used byover-air audio server 112. In some such embodiments, this results inover-air audio server 112 and streaming audio server 111 deliveringsimilar, although not identical, programming, with spot blocks deliveredby streaming audio server 111 being unconstrained by a spot blockschedule used by over-air audio server 112. In at least someembodiments, during independent mode, the clock shell used by streamingaudio server 111 is periodically synchronized with the clock shell usedby over-air audio server 112. Synchronizing the clock shells does notnecessarily synchronize the specific programming, media content, orspots, delivered by over-air audio server 112 and streaming audio server111 for broadcast via their respective media channels. Synchronizing theclock shells does, however, provide a way for streaming audio server 111to smooth the transition between independent mode and synchronized mode.

It will be appreciated that various systems can be used to implement theteachings set forth herein, and are not limited to the systems discussedwith reference to FIG. 1. For example, although at least one embodimentincludes separate traffic and billing systems, similar functionality canbe provided using a single, integrated or system having one or morelocal or distributed processing, storage and communication elements.Thus, although embodiments including automation and traffic systems areprimarily discussed herein, other embodiments can be implemented.

Although reference is made specifically to over-air and streaming audioservers, other types of media servers can be used to implement theteachings set forth herein. For example, system 100 can include multipleover-air audio servers 112, multiple streaming audio servers 111, or acombination thereof. Any of the audio servers can be configured to actas a master audio server, with one or more of any remaining audioservers configured to perform in the slave audio server role.Furthermore, the teachings set forth herein are not limited to audioservers, and discussion of a specific example should not be construed tolimit this disclosure to only the specifically disclosed embodiments. Insome embodiments, for example, video, mixed audio and video, or othermedia servers can be used to provide media content and spots forbroadcast over any suitable media channel. These media channels include,but are not limited to, satellite, television, Internet, and radio.

Referring next to FIG. 2, a method 200 for use in changing between asynchronized mode and an independent mode is illustrated according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated by block205, a media server executes an instruction to enter a synchronizedmode. This instruction can be a macro or other instruction executed by adual-mode media server, such as a streaming audio server, currentlyoperating in an independent mode. By executing the instruction to entera synchronized mode, the dual-mode media server can be configured tooperate at least partially under control of another media server,sometimes referred to as the master media server.

The master media server may also execute an instruction to enter orleave the synchronized mode (not illustrated). However, in at least oneembodiment, the master media server need not change modes, but cancontinue to send commands and instructions to the dual-mode mediaserver, regardless of the mode in which the dual-mode media server iscurrently operating. In some such embodiments, the dual-mode mediaserver can simply ignore any commands received from the master mediaserver when operating in an independent mode, but follow instructionsand commands when operating in a synchronized mode.

As illustrated by block 203, when operating in a synchronized mode, thedual-mode media server delivers content for substantially synchronizedbroadcast with content being broadcast on another media channelassociated with a master audio server. For example, programming andmedia content delivered by the dual-mode media server for broadcast viaan Internet streaming radio station, can be a least partially controlledby the master audio server, which can deliver the same programming andmedia content via conventional radio transmission. In some embodiments,even if the programming and media content delivered by the dual-modemedia server is not the same as that delivered by the master audioserver, the master audio server controls the length and scheduling ofspot blocks. Thus, in some embodiments, content delivered by thedual-mode server is synchronized to the master audio server, at least tothe extent necessary for the beginning and end of spot blocks tocoincide.

As illustrated by block 207, while operating in a synchronized mode, thedual-mode media server can make a check to determine whether a signal tostart a spot block has been received from the master audio server. Thisprovides at least one mechanism by which the master audio server exertscontrol to ensure synchronization of spot blocks and content deliveredby the dual-mode media server. If no signal or command to begin a spotblock is received from the master audio server, the dual-mode mediaserver continues to deliver content for synchronized broadcast, asillustrated by block 203.

As illustrated by block 209, if the dual-mode media server receives acommand or other signal to begin delivering a spot block for broadcastwhile in the synchronized mode, dual-mode media server response to thecommand by delivering a spot block for broadcast.

As illustrated by block 211, dual-mode media server can check todetermine whether a change to independent mode is to be made. Thedetermination of whether to switch to independent mode can be made on anumber of different bases. For example, a hardcoded time to switch fromsynchronized mode to independent mode may be used, in which casedual-mode media server can switch modes at a predetermined time.

In other embodiments, a command from the master audio server may bereceived, or the station log used by the dual-mode media server mayinclude a floating event. Such a floating event maybe a command or setof commands embedded or otherwise included in a station log, andconfigured to take effect upon the occurrence of a trigger event. Thetrigger event can include, for example, the start or completion of aparticular spot block, the start or completion of a particularprogramming event, the broadcast of a particular media content item, orthe like.

If no change to independent mode is to be made at this time, thedual-mode media server can continue to deliver content for synchronizedbroadcast, as illustrated by block 203.

As illustrated by block 213, if a change to independent mode is to bemade, the dual-mode media server can execute an instruction to enter theindependent mode. This instruction can, in at least one embodiment, takethe form of a macro or other instruction or series of instructionsdesigned to place the dual-mode media server into an independent mode.

During operation in the independent mode, the dual-mode media server canfunction independently of the master audio server. Thus, for example,spot blocks delivered for broadcast by the dual-mode media server neednot be scheduled for the same time as spot blocks delivered by themaster audio server. Furthermore, the spot blocks delivered by themaster audio server and the dual-mode media server need not have thesame length, or the same content.

Additionally, in at least some embodiments when the dual-mode mediaserver is operating in an independent mode, the same content deliveredfor broadcast by the master audio server can be delivered for broadcastby the dual-mode media server, but in a different order or at differenttimes. In various embodiments, the programming and media contentdelivered for broadcast by the master audio server and the dual-modemedia server need not be the same. Furthermore, when operating inindependent mode, the dual-mode media server can deliver spots and spotblocks unconstrained by a spot block schedule used by the master audioserver.

As illustrated by block 215, upon executing the instruction to enter anindependent mode, or as part of entering the independent mode, thedual-mode media server obtains a copy of the clock shell used by themaster audio server. The clock shell can describe the types of mediacontent to play during particular periods of time, but generally doesnot dictate specific media items or a particular order of play.

As illustrated by block 217, during operation in the independent mode,the dual-mode media server can operate in accordance with the copy ofthe clock shell obtained. Consequently, in at least some embodiments,the dual-mode media server can deliver for broadcast via one mediachannel, content similar, but not identical to, content being deliveredby the master audio server for broadcast via a different media channel.Furthermore, in various embodiments, operating in accordance with theclock shell does not constrain the dual-mode media server to deliverspot blocks for broadcast in synchronization with spot blocks deliveredby the master audio server.

In some embodiments, to facilitate content delivery by the dual-modemedia server, voice track mappings from external locations that aremapped via an Internet protocol to the master station are duplicated tothe dual-mode media server. Additionally, music log loading can bepointed to the same load folder used by the master station. In at leastone embodiment, for local voice tracking, the master station is mappedvia an Internet protocol to transmit the same tracks to the dual-modemedia server.

As illustrated by block 219, the dual-mode media server can periodicallysynchronize its copy of the clock shell to a time marker. The timemarker may, in some embodiments, occur every hour on the hour or thehalf hour, every one and a half hours, every 2 hours, or at otherperiods and times deemed appropriate. The clock shell being used by themaster audio server is, in some embodiments, also being synchronized toa time marker, which may or may not be the same time marker used tosynchronize the operation of the dual-mode media server. In at least oneembodiment, the copy of the clock shell is synchronized with the clockshell used by the master audio server to ensure that a later change bythe dual-mode media server from an independent mode to a synchronizedmode can be achieved smoothly, without adversely affecting the consumerexperience.

To further ensure a smooth transition, in some embodiments, during hoursin which the dual-mode media server is scheduled to transition fromindependent mode back into synchronized mode, macros other than thosethat control rejoin, synchronization and block fill are avoided.

As illustrated by block 221, the dual-mode media server can check todetermine whether or not to change from independent mode to synchronizedmode. Such a check can be performed at a fixed time, or in response to afloating event, similar to the determination made with respect tochanging to the independent mode. If the dual-mode media serverdetermines that it is not yet time to switch into synchronized mode, itcontinues to deliver content according to the clock shell, asillustrated by block 217. If the dual-mode media server determines atblock 221 that a change to synchronized mode should be made, andinstruction to enter the synchronized mode can be executed asillustrated by block 205.

Although a particular embodiment of method 200 has been shown anddescribed, various alterations to method 200 can be made upon consistentwith the teachings set forth herein, without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a high-level block diagram of a processingsystem is illustrated and discussed. Processing system 300 includes oneor more central processing units, such as CPU A 305 and CPU B 307, whichmay be conventional microprocessors interconnected with various otherunits via at least one system bus 310. CPU A 305 and CPU B 307 may beseparate cores of an individual, multi-core processor, or individualprocessors connected via a specialized bus 311. In some embodiments, CPUA 305 or CPU B 307 may be a specialized processor, such as a graphicsprocessor, other co-processor, or the like.

Processing system 300 includes random access memory (RAM) 320; read-onlymemory (ROM) 315, wherein the ROM 315 could also be erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM) or electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM); and input/output (I/O) adapter325, for connecting peripheral devices such as disk units 330, opticaldrive 336, or tape drive 337 to system bus 310; a user interface adapter340 for connecting keyboard 345, mouse 350, speaker 355, microphone 360,or other user interface devices to system bus 310; communicationsadapter 365 for connecting processing system 300 to an informationnetwork such as the Internet or any of various local area networks, widearea networks, telephone networks, or the like; and display adapter 370for connecting system bus 310 to a display device such as monitor 375.Mouse 350 has a series of buttons 380, 385 and may be used to control acursor shown on monitor 375.

It will be understood that processing system 300 may include othersuitable data processing systems without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. For example, processing system 300 may include bulkstorage and cache memories, which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Various disclosed embodiments can be implemented in hardware, software,or a combination containing both hardware and software elements. In oneor more embodiments, the invention is implemented in software, whichincludes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode,etc. Some embodiments may be realized as a computer program product, andmay be implemented as a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumembodying program code for use by, or in connection with, a computer, aprocessor, or other suitable instruction execution system.

For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computerreadable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store,communicate, or transport the program for use by or in connection withan instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. By way ofexample, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise any ofvarious types of computer storage media, including volatile andnon-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anysuitable method or technology for storage of information such ascomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by a computer.

Various embodiments have been described in which a media server iscapable of operating part of the time in a synchronized mode, and partof the time in an independent mode. Other variations and modificationsof the embodiments disclosed may be made based on the descriptionprovided, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forthin the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A media broadcast system comprising: a firstmedia server controlling first media delivery via a first broadcastchain using a broadcast clock shell and a first log file indicating afirst representation of media and spots to be broadcast as the firstmedia, the broadcast clock shell operable to describe a plurality ofmedia content types during each of a plurality of time periods; a secondmedia server controlling second media delivery via a second broadcastchain according to a copy of the broadcast clock shell and a second logfile for a second representation of media and spots to be broadcast asthe second media, wherein: in a synchronized mode of operation, thefirst media server exerts control over the content and timing of mediaand spots served by the second media server by at least the first logfile, the copy of the broadcast clock shell of the second media serverbeing a copy of the broadcast clock shell used by the first media serverto produce the second media substantially similar to that of the firstmedia; and in an independent mode of operation, the second media serveris unconstrained by the first log file such that the second mediadiffers from that of the first media, the second log file beingdifferent than the first log file.
 2. The media broadcast system ofclaim 1, wherein the broadcast clock shell and the copy of the broadcastclock shell are periodically synchronized during the independent mode ofoperation.
 3. The media broadcast system of claim 2, wherein asynchronized copy of the broadcast clock shell includes at least oneunsynchronized spot block.
 4. The media broadcast system of claim 1,wherein: the second media server is further transitioning between theindependent mode of operation and the synchronized mode of operation. 5.The media broadcast system of claim 1, wherein: at least one spot blockin the second log file is synchronized to at least one spot block in thefirst log file during the synchronized mode of operation, even thoughthe first and second log files include different content.
 6. The mediabroadcast system of claim 1, wherein: the first media servertransmitting control commands to the second media server even when thesecond media server is operating in the independent mode.
 7. The mediabroadcast system of claim 1, wherein, in the synchronized mode ofoperation, the second media delivered by the second media server issynchronized to the first media delivered by the first server at leastto the extent necessary for a beginning and an end of spot blocks tocoincide.
 8. A streaming media server comprising: memory; at least oneprocessor coupled to the memory, the processor controlling mediadelivery via a streaming broadcast chain, wherein at least a portion oftime the streaming media server operates in a synchronized mode ofoperation and at least a portion of time in an independent mode ofoperation; and wherein: during the synchronized mode of operation, theprocessor delivering media according to a broadcast clock shell and afirst log file having spot break beginning and ending times synchronizedto spot break beginning and end times of a second log file used byanother media server that delivers media via another broadcast chain,the broadcast clock shell operable to describe a plurality of mediacontent types during each of a plurality of time periods; and during theindependent mode of operation, the processor delivering media accordingto the broadcast clock shell and the first log file having spot breakbeginning and ending times that are independent of spot break beginningand end times in relation to that of the second log file used by theanother media server.
 9. The streaming media server of claim 8, whereinthe first log file is generated from a copy of a broadcast clock shellused to generate the second log file.
 10. The streaming media server ofclaim 9, wherein: the copy of the broadcast clock shell is periodicallysynchronized to the the broadcast clock shell during the independentmode of operation; and the copy of the broadcast clock shell includes atleast one unsynchronized spot block after being synchronized.
 11. Thestreaming media server of claim 8, wherein: the at least one processortransitioning between the independent mode of operation and thesynchronized mode of operation.
 12. The streaming media server of claim11, wherein: in response to executing an instruction to switch from thesynchronized mode to the independent mode, the at least one processorobtaining a copy of the broadcast clock shell used by a master mediaserver.
 13. The streaming media server of claim 8, wherein during thesynchronized mode, the at least one processor delivering a block ofadvertisements for broadcast in response to receiving a command, from amaster server, to begin delivery of a spot block; and during theindependent mode, the at least one processor ignoring the command tobegin delivery of the spot block.
 14. A method for use in a mediabroadcast system comprising: executing at least one computer instructionto control delivery of first media from a first media server via a firstbroadcast chain at least in part by using a broadcast clock shell and afirst log file indicating a first representation of media and spots tobe broadcast as the first media, the broadcast clock shell operable todescribe a plurality of media content types during each or a pluralityof time periods; executing at least one computer instruction to controldelivery of second media from a second media server via a secondbroadcast chain at least in part by using a copy of the broadcast clockshell and a second log file for a second representation of media andspots to be broadcast as the second media, wherein: the copy of thebroadcast clock shell is a copy of the same broadcast clock shell usedby the first media server during both a synchronized mode of operationto produce the first media and an independent mode of operation toproduce the second media; and the second log file is different than thefirst log file during at least the independent mode of operation and thesecond log file is unconstrained by the first log file during at leastthe independent mode of operation such that the second media differsfrom that of the first media.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: executing at least one computer instruction to synchronizethe broadcast clock shell and the copy of the broadcast clock shellduring the independent mode of operation.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein a synchronized copy of the broadcast clock shell includes atleast one unsynchronized spot block.
 17. The method of claim 14, whereinthe clock shell describes types of media content to play duringparticular periods of time, but does not dictate specific media items ora particular order of play.
 18. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: executing at least one computer instruction in the secondmedia server to transition between the independent mode of operation andthe synchronized mode of operation.
 19. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: executing at least one computer instruction in the firstmedia server to transmit spot-block start commands to the second mediaserver.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein, in the synchronized mode ofoperation, the second media delivered by the second media server issynchronized to the first media delivered by the first server at leastto an extent necessary for a beginning and an end of spot blocks tocoincide.